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Democrats respond to Rauner

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* Considering the attacks yesterday, Speaker Madigan did his level best to remain calm and answer the governor’s accusations point by point during a press conference yesterday. It’s a must-watch, via our good friends at BlueRoomStream.com…

* AP…

House Speaker Michael Madigan, the Chicago Democrat whom Rauner again Tuesday labeled an insider profiting through private legal work from government, reiterated his response to the Rauner agenda: “The solution to that lies in moderation.”

“Both Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature view these issues as reducing the wage levels of workers in the state and reducing the standard of living for people in the state,” Madigan said.

In response to the governor, Madigan said his law firm works on correcting errors in property-value assessments and that he enforces strict ethical conduct.

* Sun-Times…

Madigan added that his law practice has to do with contesting errors in assessments. He encouraged Rauner to maintain a level of professionalism and repeatedly said he vowed to do the same.

“I imposed strict requirements on my law firm and myself to ensure ethical conduct. I go to great lengths to make certain there is a clear division between my practice and my actions as a public official. Any potential client seeking a state benefit is rejected. If a client requests an intercession with a state agency I refuse. . . . Those policies have been in place for 20, 25, 30 years and I have religiously followed those policies,” Madigan told reporters. “I’ve been through these things before. I know that name-calling and leveling of accusations doesn’t do any good for the legislative process.”

* WICS…

And while some Democrats supported the idea of a property tax freeze, they don’t support eliminating prevailing wage at the local level or changing collective bargaining agreements.

House Speaker Michael Madigan calls that part of the proposal an “extreme.”

“I feel that both Democrats and Republicans in the legislature will view these issues as reducing the wage levels of workers in the state and reducing the standard of living of people in the state,” said Speaker Madigan.

* Reuters…

“The charges are baseless,” said Steve Brown, a Madigan spokesman. “The Madigan law firm does not benefit at all from higher taxes.” […]

A spokeswoman for Cullerton said he had met with the governor to discuss how to pursue property-tax freezes while addressing school funding needs. “Instead of demonstrating a willingness to compromise, the governor defaulted to campaign style mudslinging and personal attacks,” said Rikeesha Phelon.

* Tribune…

“(Rauner’s) comments are unfortunate,” Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon said. “If he would rather go on the personal attacks rather than talk about reasonable compromises for a property tax freeze, I’d say we have a long way to go.” […]

Madigan defended the process, saying the situation was of Rauner’s making and Democrats were giving Republicans “the opportunity to vote for what their governor has requested.”

“We don’t agree with the governor on the advocacy of his nonbudget issues, but taking up those issues for consideration is an accommodation to the governor,” Madigan said. “We’re here, we’re available, we’re interested in ideas, we’re interested in new ideas. We want to get the job done.”

* WCIA…

Madigan criticized Rauner’s unwillingness to compromise on his five points. He said Republicans had a chance to pass a bipartisan bill granting a property tax freeze without local control.

“It’s very interesting that there are over 40 Democrats voting for a freeze on property taxes,” he said. “All we need is 31 Republicans, and the bill would be in the Senate. It would be half way home.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:26 am

Comments

Since Madigan has issued a blanket denial of any conflict the next move by Rauner may be to go public with any details of conflicts and/or changes done on behalf of Madigan clients by Assessor.

Point. Counterpoint.

Comment by Cassiopeia Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:31 am
Now we’ve got this stuff outta the way, how ’bout we get back to business.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:33 am
Guy, don’t you understand that we haven’t gotten it out of the way?

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:39 am
=== Now we’ve got this stuff outta the way, how ’bout we get back to business. ===

Wouldn’t be wasting our time on this in the first place had Rauner not hammered them on it in his presser.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:40 am
Speaker Madigan,
Here, downstate, we’ve been looking for opportunities to attract new employers. We’ve been swimming against the tide of Illinois’ reputation as being “business unfriendly”.
Our local government supports right-to-work.

We aren’t asking you to permit RTW throughout the state, only those places where local municipal or county governments allow it for non-governmental entities.

The state has tested all forms of economic development with little or no positive impact. Why not let us try, on a local levels, ideas that we think will work?

We’ve tried your ideas for the last several decades. What is there to lose?

Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:42 am
The best way to open negotiations is not with personal attacks on the participants. How long will it take Rauner to learn that?

Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:42 am
=Since Madigan has issued a blanket denial of any conflict the next move by Rauner may be to go public with any details of conflicts and/or changes done on behalf of Madigan clients by Assessor.=

Yea, cause no one’s tried that before. It’s not like the Tribune and the Sun-Times and every GOP candidate/official/voter in Illinois for the last 30 years has been trying to find a conflict.

Comment by chi Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:44 am
Does anyone here know how much Speaker Madigan’s net worth has increased since taking office?

Do the financial disclosure forms even go back that far?

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:44 am
“I’m ethical because I say I am.”
“I tell every potential client I call on that giving me their business will curry no favor.” “Not doing so, however, …”.
“Oh, and I don’t use cell phones.”

Comment by old-pol Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:45 am
Is the ice cream social arranged for next Tuesday? Obie, got the ice cream?

The following Tuesday could be Poe catering day. At least we can have fun during the Tuesday tête-à-tête.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:45 am
–
The best way to open negotiations is not with personal attacks on the participants. How long will it take Rauner to learn that?
—

The faithful don’t negotiate. They can’t. That’s the foundation of their faith. Absolutism.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:47 am
Does anyone here know how much Speaker Madigan’s net worth has increased since taking office?

Do the financial disclosure forms even go back that far?

Who cares and why does it matter? What does that even have to do with the budget problem? Why does Speaker Madigan’s net worth matter? Stop with the smoke and mirrors and start governin’ Governor.

Comment by NewWestSuburbanGop'er Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:47 am
===how ’bout we get back to business.===

The business of what, hostage taking? Because it sure doesn’t fell like “Let’s Make a Deal.” Let’s recap: Monty Hall, I mean Governor Rauner, wants the property tax freeze, but it has to include ending prevailing wage. He wants WC reform, but won’t spell out exactly the kind of language he wants, he just doesn’t want what the General Assembly can pass. He wants a fair map and term limits. Great, pass a constitutional amendment or two, as if Madigan will still be around 8 terms after it passes. That’s four, I’m forgetting one.

And if the Democrats give him all of that, everything, then he’ll consider letting the Democrats raise the income tax to balance his budget?

In the meantime, he’s launching personal attacks on Madigan and Cullerton and threatening to launch a massive advertising blitz attacking the Democrats for not giving Rauner everything he is demanding. And if the Democrats don’t like it? Well they can trade it all for what’s behind door #3, a state employee lock-out and massive cuts to the FY16 budget.

They style might have played well in the business world, but nihilism as a governing philosophy rarely produces much in the way of positive outcomes.

Rauner had better wake up and figure this governing game out pretty soon or he’ll be back to business in three and a half years. Or retirement.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:49 am
FKA-
Does anyone know how much Governor Rauner’s net worth increased once GTCR started handling State and Municipal pension investments?
Do tax return disclosures even go back that far?

Comment by northsider Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:49 am
==The best way to open negotiations is not with personal attacks on the participants.==

As I pointed out Friday https://capitolfax.com/2015/05/29/where-theres-a-will-theres-a-way/

==When someone you are negotiating with has their spokesman take a personally disrespectful shot at you, you don’t play defense. You shoot back with equal disrespect, mockery and scorn. They may now wind up farther apart than when this day started.==

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:51 am
As usual, Madigan and Cullerton refuse to fight fair. What a sham.

If they were statesmen like the governor and the Frat Boys, they would reply with his business record, what with all the bankruptcies, the nursing home bust outs, the Medicaid fraud, the baby-medicine gouging, the threats to bury ladies….

It would be just like last year’s campaign. That was an awesome bro-down, bro!. Bros getting together, getting their bros on…

But noooooooo. Madigan talks about “standards of living” and “wages” and “people”
– anything to distract from another real awesome bro-down.

Time to run those TV spots, Gov. Bro. Maybe then Madigan and Cullerton will engage at your level.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:51 am
Of course having the head of the Democratic Party running an assessment appeal business is a conflict of interest, and of course Madigan is smart enough to avoid a clear quid pro quo.

I wish Rauner would save this for the next campaign cycle; I don’t see him swaying public opinion enough to help his leverage in budget negotiations. Instead, he might be succeeding in making Madigan even more disagreeable.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:53 am
==What is there to lose?==

Real people wages, possibly jobs.

We’re back to this again? “Some people think it won’t hurt anyone!” isn’t exactly an iron clad Hold Harmless clause.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:53 am
=== steve schnorf - Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:39 am:

Guy, don’t you understand that we haven’t gotten it out of the way? ===

Actually I do. Trying to do a little wishful thinking. Ready to read horoscopes for heaven’s sake! lol

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:56 am
Madigan responded, but it was a response, not an escalation to the personal like Rauner.

Sometimes your worst enemy, Governor, is yourself.

Madigan responded Governor, now what?

This isn’t anywhere near over, but the lines are darkening and widening.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:58 am
Schnorf -

I think the point is settled.

Madigan and Cullerton are acting like grown-ups.

And Rauner is acting like a plug-in for Trover’s twitter account.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:59 am
I’m sure da Speaker is patiently waiting for claims of wrong doing. When they show up he will professionally address them one by one and we’ll still not have a budget fix.

Come on MAN, calling the person on the other side of the bargaining table who you believe is a jerk a jerk in public does nothing for getting a deal done, negotiations 101.

Comment by nadia Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:59 am
Northsider raises a good point.

When will the Democrats launch attacks like “Rauner made millions by skimming fees off of taxpayer-funded pensions”??

Comment by Ghostbusters Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:01 am
Arsenal,
We are spending tax dollars to try to keep companies in our state. You don’t think giving tax dollars to corporations is hurting someone?
If it really is harmful, then the local county board would be voted out of office.
The current system is not working. At what point do we decide to let local governments try something new?

Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:02 am
Back in the good days — before we got to “modern journalism” — a reporter would have asked BVR or some of his superstar staffers (giggle) to document the “millions and millions …” line. And when they failed, Team Bungle would have been forced to slink away.
Now they blurt out the nonsense and many do their best bobble head imitations. Some ignore the smear completely.

Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:02 am
Madigan’s measured response makes the Governor sound like a petulant child.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:06 am
northsider - GTCR’s commissions and fees from public agencies are available in public records. Additionally, significant time and attention has been spent examining Rauner’s accumulation of personal wealth on Capfax and elsewhere, including discussion over Rauner’s exact net worth and the fees paid to GTCR by pension funds in Illinois.

From Rauner’s income taxes, google says he made $27,158,836 in 2010, $28,154,293 in 2011, $53,487,803 in 2012 and $60,777,806 in 2013. You can even see his 1040 online.

As for the Speaker?

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:06 am
===The business of what, hostage taking?===

I think the hostages may have been shot yesterday.

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:07 am
Aldyth, Rauner will forget more about negotiations this morning than you likely have known in your lifetime.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:07 am
===Rauner will forget more about negotiations this morning ===

I think he forgot a whole lot about them yesterday afternoon.

Just sayin…

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:09 am
With his response, Madigan displays what Rauner failed to - maturity, cooperation and moderation. Not only has Rauner shown no acceptance of his own goals when presented into the GA, he has shown an inability to take a compromise or disagree within another public official like a diplomat.

Rauner lost his cool, if he even had any. Madigan smothers the issue while projecting an air of indifference to Rauner losing his cool.

This is about governing and budget, not partisanship and personal attacks. The longer Rauner refuses to deal with the other state leaders like a real governor, the sooner he will become just an irrelevant irritant to Illinois.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:09 am
Compromise is a two way street. Two of his five points only affect the legislature,( term limits and redistricting). They could try to do something there and then move on to the other three instead of proposing bogus legislation and say “look we tried.” This is going to be a blood bath.

Comment by The Colossus of Roads Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:10 am
==You don’t think giving tax dollars to corporations is hurting someone?==

They may well be! Instinctively, I’m against corporate subsidies. But it’s not a binary decision.

==If it really is harmful, then the local county board would be voted out of office.==

Okay. That would be pretty cold comfort for a guy who lost money or benefits out of their “experiment”.

==The current system is not working.==

And RTWFL will be worse. “The status quo is bad” isn’t a blank check to try *anything*, and acting like it is has given us some pretty crappy government in the past.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:11 am
There are three branches of gov’t, the executive, legislative and judicial branches. Attorney’s are licensed by the judicial branch, specifically the Supreme Court. If Speaker Madigan in fact was engaging in conflicts of interest with respect to his law practice the judicial branch would take action. It is not like this is the first time someone has thrown this accusation. Perhaps they didn’t teach civics when the Gov. went to school.

Comment by burbanite Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:16 am
How is allowing a local municipality to vote on prevailing wage “extreme”?

Comment by Very Fed Up Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:17 am
==
“We don’t agree with the governor on the advocacy of his nonbudget issues, but taking up those issues for consideration is an accommodation to the governor,”
==

This sentence is a great example of why Democrats keep losing messaging wars.

Comment by Not Sure Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:19 am
A friend told me that when negotiating if you get mad, you lose. I have never seen Madigan lose his cool once.

Comment by Chicago Guy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:23 am
The Governor of Illinois. I guess slander is one way to goveren. Oh yeah, same governor that declared that the entire judicial branch was corrupt. This guy is a real gem.

Comment by Luggie Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:25 am
MM has been in power most of the time, he does what he wants. That is not called negotiations.

If you think effective negotiators lose when they get mad, well, I don’t know what to tell you other than you need to negotiate some.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:28 am
The fact that Madigan even felt it necessary to respond is something of a victory for Rauner. Neither Madigan nor Cullerton are elected statewide, yet they do hold a lot of power that affects the entire state. So why not make them answer to the entire state? Rauner already has them addressing issues that they would probably rather not, at least at this time.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:46 am
Today this is feels to me - that we are seeing the result of our state electing someone who fundamentally hates government to run a government. I reserve the right to change my views, but that is how it looks today.

Rauner appears not care if the state shuts down. He clearly sees no value in helping people in need, protecting the innocent, regulating industry or building infrastructure.

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:47 am
Does anyone here know how much Governor Rauner ’s net worth has increased since taking office?

Comment by Bigtwich Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:48 am
Ok, - Anonymous -, Madigan answered, now what?

I’m trying to see how going personal in a bunker (Governor’s Mansion), lobbing grenades, and getting Madigan to respond gets a budget any quicker or easier.

So, the Governor feels better sayin’ it, ok, now what? Does it undercut all the behind the scenes work? Can’t see how it helps…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:50 am
===Rauner appears not care if the state shuts down.===

On the contrary, I think he is actively trying to achieve that outcome. It’s the only goal that explains his language and behavior these past six months.

#shakeupspringfield

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 11:52 am
I agree that it appears Rauner is trying to ensure a shutdown, one way or the other, for his national backers and to launch / enhance his presence on the national GOP stage. If he end sup busting the unions, even better from his perspective.

Going to be really interesting to see if there is a face saving way out of this impasse.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:02 pm
Hard to see how this ends peacefully. I foresee the Dems releasing some of the budget bills to the guv, followed by a series of vetoes and failed overrides, followed by the passage of an emergency “lump sum” budget, followed by months of boths sides blaming each other for the cuts Rauner has to enact. In the end, all sides lose, but Rauner loses more because he becomes part of the Springfield mess.

Comment by F.T. Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:05 pm
==Does anyone here know how much Governor Rauner ’s net worth has increased since taking office?==

Maybe someone can look into that 40 years from now?

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:08 pm
===…followed by the passage of an emergency “lump sum” budget,…===

That will never happen.

MJM and Cullerton will absolutely not, especially after yesterday, trust Bruce Rauner with a lump sum budget with programs and agencies to be funded at Rauner’s discretion.

No. Way.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:10 pm
The fact that all this is even occurring is monumental in and of itself. After 30 + years as Speaker, Madigan is finally being forced to be a politician. Uncomfortable role for him.

Any way you slice it, that’s a W for the state.

Comment by North Shore Joe Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:11 pm
Between yesterday’s press conference by Governor Rauner at the Mansion and the follow up press conference by the Speaker we gain some insight into the situation we are facing as a State. When Governor Rauner repeatedly says he has reduced the scope of his required reforms necessary before serious negotiations over a constitutionally balanced budget, which he also said must be sustainable over the long run can be entered into, he seems to believe that is the case. Rich seems to agree, for example in relationship to the right to work zones, which were not among the 5 items identified by the Governor yesterday.

But the Speaker said he and apparently others in the Democrat leadership believed that by May 30 the Governor had reduced his required turn around agenda items to two issues; workers compensation system reforms and the property tax freeze. The Speaker indicated that he believes Governor Rauner has now expanded that agenda. The expansion is apparently tort reform, term limits, and legislative redistricting reform. Tomorrow right to work zones could yet reappear for all we know.

The other very obvious problem is that there has been no discussion on what constitutes what the Governor called a balanced budget that is “sustainable” over the long run. That discussion in itself would be an extremely difficult one based on the think relating to limits of tax increases using the theory of what Governor Rauner’s team might call the negative effect of taxes on growth. Overall the majority of elected Democrats in Illinois continue to support the position put forward by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) which supports the theory that taxes have no effect on economic growth by looking at the U.S. experience since World War II and the dramatic variation in the statutory top marginal rate on individual income. CRS found that the fastest economic growth occurred in the 1950s when the top rate was more than ninety percent. Just this disagreement in and of itself could create a collapse of any budget agreement.

The Democrats should agree to absolutely nothing in relation to even modified versions of the turnaround agenda until there is an understanding of exactly what Rauner’s people believe is a balanced budget at least in rounded numbers that in their opinion would be sustainable over the long run.

I suspect that the vision of Rauner’s team is minimal tax increases with a budget that is only slightly larger than the one the Governor proposed on Wednesday, February 18th.

Comment by Rod Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:13 pm
===After 30 + years as Speaker, Madigan is finally being forced to be a politician===

LOL

You must’ve missed 2003-2009.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:15 pm
Oh c’mon that was child’s play compared to what’s going on now. Night and day.

Comment by North Shore Joe Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:22 pm
===Oh c’mon that was child’s play compared to what’s going on now. Night and day.===

Really? How so? Explain please.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:25 pm
===Oh c’mon that was child’s play compared to what’s going on now===

If the war truly starts, then you’ll be right.

At the current moment, however, what’s going on now isn’t even close to that level of discontent and factionalism.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:30 pm
So prevailing wage in Illinois averages about $30/hr. At 40 hrs that is $1200 times 52 is $62,400 a year. Governor Rauner made $60,777,806 in 2013 which is 974 times more than he feels a working man should make.

Shame on this Governor who feels that the workers should take less so that he and his 1%’rs can make more.

If he can’t make more and pay workers more then he threatens hard working Illinois Americans he would take his business and go to another state or even Country so that he could have more.

We need to raise the income tax by 134% and forget this crazy talk of lowering the standard of living of hard working Illinois Americans.

Comment by Iworkhard forthemoney Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:36 pm
Right. Which is why it’s night and day.

Not nearly the strategy/gamesmanship with Blago that is involved now… It was attrition with no underlying real threat to Madigan’s base realm of power.

Comment by North Shore Joe Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:58 pm
One difference between 2003-2009 and today is that Blagojevich did sign monthly state budgets during at least one budget impasse. I don’t think Rauner will do that. Previously I noted that Madigan needed to respond to Rauner’s attack. Now what is a good question. I feel like the people of the state are in the middle of a game of keep away, except that Rauner and the Dem leaders aren’t throwing the ball to each other, just arrows. Unfortunately, this is how adults play.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:00 pm
===Not nearly the strategy/gamesmanship with Blago that is involved now===

You’re kinda deluded on that one.

Did you forget all the battles with Emil Jones? How MJM methodically stripped Jones’ working majority from him?

How about all the side deals with the GOP leaders?

Remember when Emil ordered ComEd to fire its Madigan lobbyists?

C’mon, man. All Rauner has right now on his side in that building is a solid Republican super-minority.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:01 pm
Rauner still wants what he wants which is his turn back agenda. Remember he never loses. Translation: he never compromises.

He is a private sector guy who has bullied his way to get what he wants in that sector. So far he has been able to threaten successfully only members of his party.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:05 pm
==All Rauner has right now on his side in that building is a solid Republican super-minority.==

And the dragons. Wait, I mean, “money”.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:20 pm
He is vilifying the Speaker in the ways he most fears, to a scope that Rod/Emil could never, and probably would never.

Comment by North Shore Joe Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:22 pm
==The fact that Madigan even felt it necessary to respond is something of a victory for Rauner.==

Awesome! Rauner got his pound of flesh. Can he sign a budget now?

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:22 pm
With so many local school districts desperate for $$-can someone explain why it Such a bad idea to allow school districts to perform construction work using non union labor saving anywherE from 15 to 30 percent on school projects????

Comment by Sue Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:23 pm
North Shore, Rod and his folks most definitely went after Madigan over a potential conflict of interest on issues relating to property taxes. They even tried to bring the Attorney General into the mix.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:39 pm
=We need to raise the income tax by 134% and forget this crazy talk of lowering the standard of living of hard working Illinois Americans.=

Raise the income tax to 8%?

Comment by john doe Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:45 pm
Sue, considering that labor costs are only about 30% of the costs of a construction project, are you suggested school districts import slave labor?

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:53 pm
It is always interesting to see people anticipate that business people will make effective elected officials or school leaders. The “business” of the state and school districts is to provide effective, efficient services; the “business” of business is to make a profit. Rauner is just another example; cut services while promoting profit making.

Comment by Buzzie Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:54 pm
Rauner has finally been able to do something other Governors haven’t: force Madigan to answer questions from the media. It’s always amazed me that the Speaker of the House didn’t feel obligated to do press conferences or media interviews.

Comment by Not it Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:11 pm
===He is vilifying the Speaker in the ways he most fears, to a scope that Rod/Emil could never, and probably would never.===

Explains why the Co-Equal branch isn’t helping. lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:16 pm
Ok, - Not It -, now what?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:17 pm
==force Madigan to answer questions from the media==

You have to chase him down first.

Chuck Goudie /s

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:43 pm
Gov. Rauner is making a big mistake by making his case personal. Speaker Madigan has been under a microscope for 30 years and he knows it. I think Madigan could be helpful with Rauner’s AFSCME contract issues, but Rauner’s needless personal attack doesn’t advance his agenda.

Comment by Louis Howe Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:13 pm
=== He is vilifying the Speaker in the ways he most fears, to a scope that Rod/Emil could never, and probably would never. ===

LOL. Trover’s puppet is merely regurgitating trumped up Tribune reporting. Reporting that was so impotent and scurrilous that the Tribune editorial board wouldn’t even repeat the insinuation.

Madigan has heard it all before. It might make him angry, but it certainly isn’t making him afraid.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:40 pm
I haven’t watched a complete Madigan press conference in many years. He hasn’t lost a beat. In fact, I think he makes a better presentation today than 20 years ago. Budget, moderation, professionalism, and we’re here for the duration are themes that came through load and clear. If Rauner’s not paying attention, somebody on his staff should.

Comment by Louis Howe Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:43 pm
Nobody says that a local government has to hire a union contractor. What the prevailing wage law says is that you have to pay a minimum wage based on the employment classification of the worker.

One of the best contractors I had ever work for me was a non-union shop from Jacksonville. The guys were great, did a fantastic job. They were thinking and planning their work.

That same summer I had one of the worst contractors I ever had the misfortune of working with. They were a union shop from Will County. They were disorganized, didn’t plan what they were going to do. It was a constant battle.

In both cases, and because they were IDOT projects, the employees were paid the prevailing wage based on their labor classification.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:56 pm
Yep, that presser was….mythical. Gack.

He responded. People aren’t used to seeing him speak for himself very often. That made it a bit novel. What it did not do was create some kind of seismic shift in opinion.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:56 pm
I think Louis Howe @ 3:13pm has excellent points. It is time for AFSCME and Madigan to team up on this battle, before a lot of vulnerable people get hurt.

Comment by Capitol Fax Follower Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:57 pm
“Rauner has finally been able to do something other Governors haven’t: force Madigan to answer questions from the media. It’s always amazed me that the Speaker of the House didn’t feel obligated to do press conferences or media interviews. ”

Madigan was on WGN radio last week. I would also like to add that if you have a problem with your State Rep/Senator not answering their emails & you contact him, he responds right away.

Comment by Emily Booth Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 4:05 pm
OW said: “MJM and Cullerton will absolutely not, especially after yesterday, trust Bruce Rauner with a lump sum budget”

I think that’s right. But then again, if they go week after week and then month after month with no budget and it becomes clear that Rauner likes it that way, would a “lump sum” enable the Dems to shift most of the blame to Rauner instead of sharing it?

Comment by Tammy T. Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 4:46 pm
- Tammy T -,

There is no way. None. Especially after yesterday, and add to the mix the grief both Democratic Leaders got for Quinn’s Lump Sum, that a budget like that, in any form, happens.

Unless…

They know Rauner wants to own every single cut… then, well…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 5:04 pm
Capitol Fax Follower @3:57…. “Time for AFSCME and Madigan to team-up” …. Perhaps you said that facetiously, but that wasn’t my point. Rauner is in for a head knocking negotiation with AFSCME…If the Governor had better relations with Madigan, they could be a tag team. From my experience, Madigan doesn’t have any great attachment to AFSCME.

Comment by Louis Howe Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 5:12 pm
Many of these commentators, like the Governor, seem to forget we are operating in a democracy.

Comment by Pepe Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 8:47 pm